The stakes are high as the Green Bay Packers head into their Week 2 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts as both teams look to rebound from tough Week 1 losses.
The Packers are in uncharted territory as questions arise about Jordan Love’s availability following his injury. It also doesn’t facilitate that the defense gave up 34 points to the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, the Colts will look to establish consistency with Anthony Richardson in the middle of the field while fixing their defensive woes, particularly against the run.
With so many storylines at play, this game has all the makings of an captivating matchup. Here are five bold predictions that could determine the outcome of this critical Week 2 clash.
1. Malik Willis scores three touchdowns
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) throws the ball while running against the Seattle Seahawks during a game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.
The former Tennessee Titan has little experience, but he has played in eight games, three of which were as a starter. He has 51-of-100 pass attempts and has thrown for 536 yards with zero touchdowns and three interceptions. Willis has 27 pass attempts for 123 yards and a touchdown. You have to go back to his college career at Liberty, which made him an intriguing NFL prospect. In his final season with the Flames, Willis had 2,857 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing touchdowns.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is no stranger to starting a backup quarterback, as Jordan Love started in Week 9, 2021 against the Kansas City Chiefs and for most of 2018 against the Tennessee Titans when Blaine Gabbert filled in for an injured Marcus Mariota. In those games, LaFleur actually put the backup quarterback in a position to succeed, as Love outplayed Patrick Mahomes but lost 13-7, and the Titans then finished the season at 9-7 and narrowly missed the playoffs.
Willis hasn’t gotten much of a chance in the NFL, but this becomes a great opportunity for him to show what he can do. He has a ton of talent around him, as well as a coach who can put him in the right spot to make plays. Willis will showcase his athleticism and dual-threat ability, where he could probably score two touchdowns and throw for one.
2. Josh Jacobs has rushed for over 150 yards in total across multiple roles.
September 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, BRA; Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs during the second half of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Malik Willis scoring three touchdowns may be unlikely, especially considering how quickly he was thrust into the quarterback role. However, one thing is for sure, the Packers will rely on running back Josh Jacobs to lead the majority of the offense.
There are many reasons to believe Jacobs could have a monster game against the Colts. The first one has already been mentioned, helping out Willis and running the majority of the offense. We saw against the Eagles that the Packers weren’t going to give up the run game as the first half was tough, but Jacobs started to open up some nice runs in the second half. It’s no secret that the Packers will rely on Jacobs, but they can’t start off sluggish like they did last week.
Another reason is that the Colts’ run defense struggled against the Houston Texans in Week 1. Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Mixon had 30 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown. Finally, establishing a mighty running game early will not only take some of the pressure off Willis, but it will also facilitate the Packers control the clock and keep the Indianapolis offense off the field. A weighty dose of Jacobs could limit the Colts’ offense’s options, especially if they want Anthony Richardson to find a rhythm.
3. Packers defense forces three turnovers
September 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, BRA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) runs during the second half of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Packers defense showed its ability to create turnovers in Week 1, forcing three interceptions against the Eagles. This will be the first time the Packers have seen Richardson; however, he completed just 9 of 19 passes with a couple of overthrows and a critical interception in the loss to the Texans. Given Richardson’s tendency to make mistakes under pressure, the Packers’ front seven will look to destroy the pocket and force rushed decisions. If the defense can generate consistent pressure, it could easily come out of this with multiple interceptions or forced fumbles and facilitate limit the pressure on Willis.
4. Romeo Doubs in Breakout
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JUNE 4: Romeo Doubs #87 of the Green Bay Packers takes part in drills during the Green Bay Packers Minicamp at Ray Nitschke Field on June 4, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Last week it was Jayden Reed’s showcase, but given the current state of the wide receiver room, anyone could explode in a large game. In Week 2’s game against the Colts, it could be Romeo Doubs, who could have developed mighty chemistry with Willis in practice so far.
Much like their running game, the Colts passing game has also struggled against the Texans and their defense has been plagued by injuries. Doubs has proven in the past to be a reliable target on both miniature and deep routes, and given Willis’ versatility, Doubs could be his favorite player to play.
5. Rashan Gary records two sacks
(Photo: Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Rashan Gary made his presence known in Week 1, recording a sack against the Eagles. To facilitate the offense and lead the defense to a better performance, Gary is a player the Packers will need to lean on.
The Colts offensive line struggled to protect Richardson in Week 1, as he was tackled four times, rushed several times and had an impact on Richardson’s errant throws. It also led to Richardson playing outside the pocket a lot and having to run with the ball.
If Gary can build on his Week 1 performance, he’ll be in prime position to record multiple sacks and force Richardson into hurried throws or costly mistakes. His ability to collapse the pocket could be key in disrupting the Colts’ offensive rhythm, giving the Packers a bounce and helping Willis and the offense.
